3,500 buses to facilitate public transport in Riyadh

RIYADH — The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) has set out a roadmap for the transportation of eight million people in the capital city ahead of the launch of Riyadh metro system.

The existing Khat Al-Balad buses will be replaced by modern city buses by the end of this year.

SAPTCO will operate buses to different destinations charging SR3 to SR5. Passengers will be able to access the service using electronic pre-paid cards.

Buses will be available for all parts of the capital city from downtown Riyadh. One set of buses will start from Aziziya, south of Riyadh, carrying passengers to destinations in the north. Buses operating from King Fahd Stadium, east of Riyadh, will take passengers to the Diplomatic Quarter in the west.

“The new bus network will provide quality services to passengers,” a senior SAPTCO official said.

Buses will be available to and from metro stations. The new network will also cater to the needs of new residential districts in the city.

“The main objective of the new public transport system is to reduce the use of cars by individuals inside the capital city to avoid traffic jams, prevent pollution and cut down the use of fuel,” a senior official said.

Bus stations are designed to meet present and future requirements. More